Welcome to Monday Morning in Orlando
I’ve failed you, dear OS readers. I learned National Donut Day was last Friday, AFTER I sent out Thursday’s newsletter. I’m so ashamed of myself for not recognizing this important day. 😭
👉 In other announcements, I’m looking for something special. Specifically, I’m on the hunt for community superstars. Can you help? Scroll down a little.
In today’s issue: 👇
- Building Blocks
- Bite30
- Gelato-Go
- ….and much more
Did someone forward this email to you? If so, subscribe here.
🛑 Don’t forget to click (or tap) the poll at the bottom of this issue so we know if we’re on the right track. Every time you vote in a poll, our cat Luna gets a little treat. 🐈
Let’s dive in!
- Philip
ORLANDO REWIND ⏪
Building Blocks With The Architect Behind Orlando's Historic Schools
Imagine 1920s Orlando: sleepy, sun-soaked, and about to get a serious architectural makeover. Enter Howard Montalbert Reynolds, Sr., a Detroit native who swapped Motor City steel for Florida sunshine and forever changed how Central Florida learned and lived.
Born June 17, 1885, as one of ten Reynolds kids (yes, ten!), Howard ditched Michigan winters for Jacksonville, then landed in Orlando around 1921. From his Orange Avenue office, he became the architect everyone speed-dialed when they wanted something spectacular.
Reynolds was basically the Swiss Army knife of architects—Mediterranean Revival? Check. Art Deco? You got it. His showstopper First National Bank Building at 190 South Orange Street gave Orlando its very first taste of sleek Art Moderne style.
But here's where it gets good: Reynolds built the schools where generations of Floridians would learn everything from ABCs to algebra. Jones High (1922), Osceola High (1925), Cherokee Junior High (1927)—these weren't just buildings, they were launchpads for dreams.
When Reynolds passed on October 21, 1943, he'd given Orlando more than pretty buildings. He'd built its future, one brilliant blueprint at a time.
(Learn a ton more about Howard Montalbert Reynolds, Sr and his historic Orlando design achievements with John Dalles, right here)
THE SQUEEZE 🍊
The City Beautiful's Tastiest Deal: Bite30 Just Kicked Off Culinary Exploration
Picture this: a three-course feast at Central Florida's hottest restaurants for just $38 – what normally costs double. Bite30, which kicked off its annual event June 1st, turns restaurant exploration into an irresistible adventure through the City Beautiful.
Local chefs are showcasing their signature creations through carefully crafted prix fixe menus, transforming single entrée budgets into full culinary journeys. The process is elegantly simple: browse participating restaurant menus, pick your spot, and request the Bite30 menu upon arrival. No apps, coupons, or cards needed.
Reservations are strongly recommended as word spreads about this deal. Whether you're expanding your palate or finally trying that downtown spot, Bite30 makes dining experimentation irresistible.
🔥 Check out Bite30’s participating establishments & menus, right here.
From Greenhouse to Great Minds: Orlando's Tech-Savvy Farm Camp
Something amazing is blooming in Orlando's Packing District, and it's not just the hundred-plus fruit tree varieties at 4Roots Farm.
This summer, a game-changing partnership between Orlando Science Center and 4Roots Farm is turning kids into agricultural scientists through exciting week-long camps for grades 3-5.
Students dive hands-first into the massive 18,000-square-foot greenhouse, discovering how cool technology is revolutionizing food production. The 4Roots Farm becomes their living playground where mono-cropping doesn't exist, instead, campers explore everything from olive trees to sweet potatoes while mastering hydroponics and aquaponics.
Working alongside culinary experts, they transform their studied produce into tasty energy bites and smoothies, plus take home recipes to wow their families.
Each themed week mixes creativity with hands-on learning, from designing 3D-printed planters to building vertical gardens that bring sustainable living to life.
👎 Fake QR Codes Transform Orlando Parking Meters Into Digital Crime Scene
Some crafty criminals decided Orlando's downtown parking meters looked like easy money, slapping nearly 200 bogus QR codes across the city's busiest blocks in a digital shell game that would impress any street hustler.
Instead of sending parkers to the legit parkmobile.io website, these knockoff codes redirected unsuspecting drivers straight into scammers' digital traps where credit card details became the main course.
Financial Crimes Sergeant Michael Fiorentino-Tyburski spilled the beans on spotting the fakes: real codes rock green backgrounds and stick tight, while the phonies sport white backgrounds and peel off like cheap stickers.
Orlando Police are now playing cleanup crew with the city's parking division, hunting down remaining fake codes while advising everyone to eyeball those QR codes before scanning.
(Learn more about this fake QR code parking meter scam with Jessica Battisti, right here)
When Nature Strikes, These Hospitals Strike Back
While everyone else flees, Central Florida hospitals become hurricane-proof medical sanctuaries. At AdventHealth Orlando, staff run fortress-like operations, stockpiling everything needed to survive independently for days.
Their Mission Control looks straight out of a sci-fi movie, coordinating eight locations while shuffling patients to safety like strategic chess moves.
During last year's hurricane, teams delivered 11 babies and performed open-heart surgery while winds raged outside. Over 20 backup generators keep operating rooms humming with perfect conditions, even during blackouts.
UCF Lake Nona Hospital sports Category 4-rated windows that welcome healing sunlight while laughing off 150-mph winds. Tiger Dams—giant water-filled barriers—protect vulnerable facilities like HCA Lake Monroe Hospital from flooding.
Meanwhile, dedicated staff essentially move into hospitals during storms to care for patients, proving healthcare heroes really are cut from different cloth.
(Learn more about these hospital fortresses during hurricanes with Bridgett Ellison, right here)
TASTY NEWS 🧑🍳
Orlando Area Eateries Coming & Going
1️⃣ Hikiniku to Sumi - Wagyu Dreams Meet Japanese Flames
Wagyu dreams sizzle to life this June with Hikiniku to Sumi (Insta), a hambagu love letter launching inside Juju's intimate kappo bar. The lunchtime ritual features flame-kissed 50-50 A5 and American wagyu steaks from Palm Beach Meats, grilled over Japanese charcoal alongside koshihikari rice, egg, fish soup, and ice cream.
😔 Dearly Departed/ing: Thankfully, none this past week. 🦗
#ORLANDOSIGNAL 📸
Celebrating in Celebration
📷 via @orlandosignal |📍Celebration
Tag @orlandosignal to get your photo featured in the newsletter!
FOODIE FIND, FORK YEAH! 🤩
Gelato-Go
📍513 S Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789. See location info, right here.
This is literally my favorite gelato spot. Fam approved, too!
Since 2018, Gelato-Go (Insta) has been one of Winter Park's best-kept secret, serving Orlando's finest gelato in flavors from Mascarpone Nutella to Caramel Brownie.
Their whimsical artwork made from colorful sampling spoons hints at the magic within.
New showstopper? Their viral Dubai Chocolate Cup with layers of rich chocolate gelato, crunchy pistachio cream, and velvety pistachio gelato topped with dark chocolate drizzle and toasted pistachios.
Pair it with their freshly brewed espresso for the perfect Italian-inspired experience.
👉 Check out their MENU, right here 👈
Sicilian Pistachio - Image Courtesy of Gelato-Go
MORE PULP! 😎
Weekday things to check out
🎤 Post Malone Presents: The BIG ASS Stadium Tour
📅 June 10, 2025 | 6:30pm
📍 Camping World Stadium
Music superstar's stadium tour featuring special guests Jelly Roll and Sierra Ferrell performing hits and new tracks.
👉 Epic Night
🎮 Game & Hobby Night at The Burrow
📅 Tuesdays | 5-8pm
📍 The Burrow Cafe & Play, Mills 50
Weekly gathering for games, crafts, reading, and relaxation with drink specials available. 👉 Play Together
🍔 Tasty Takeover in The Milk District
📅 Tuesdays | 6:30-10pm
📍 The Milk District – E. Robinson St
Orlando's premier weekly food truck block party featuring diverse culinary offerings behind the shops and bars.
👉 Dine Alfresco
🌿 Speed Friending: Plant Lovers Edition
📅 June 11, 2025 | 7-9pm
📍 Whippoorwill Beer House
Social networking event for gardeners, plant parents, and green enthusiasts to connect and make new friends.
👉 Grow Connections
📖 Orlando Story Club June Edition: Rebellion
📅 June 11, 2025 | 7pm
📍 City Arts
Bimonthly storytelling event where participants share true stories on the theme of rebellion, with prizes for top three tellers.
👉 Share Your Story
🎬 Cinnabar Summer | There Will Be Blood
📅 June 11, 2025
📍 Zymarium Meadery
Special screening of the acclaimed film hosted by a PTA superfan as part of the Cinnabar Summer series.
👉 Movie Night
🎸 MELENDI - Tour 20 Años
📅 June 12, 2025 | 8pm
📍 Amway Center
Spanish music sensation brings his genre-blending sound of pop, rock, flamenco, and Latin rhythms to Orlando.
👉 One Night Only
🌿 Late Night Thursdays
📅 Thursdays | 5-8pm
📍 Leu Gardens
Extended evening hours featuring the Origami in the Garden exhibit with picnicking and drinks allowed.
👉 Evening Stroll
THANKS!
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Thanks for reading! I’ll see you again on Thursday’s weekend fun issue.
My Best,
Philip - Publisher, Orlando Signal
